Amazon says customer names, emails briefly exposed in 'error'

Amazon offered an apology on Wednesday, but no explanation, for leaking customers' names and email addresses on its website. Photo by MilousSK/Shutterstock/UPI

Nov. 21 (UPI) --Amazon said Wednesday some customers' names and email addresses were exposed due to a technical error.

In an emailed apology to affected customers, the company said the error made names and email addresses briefly available on the Amazon website. It added the problem was quickly fixed.

While customers will not be obligated to change passwords, the exposure of information could allow hackers to reset customers' accounts.

Customers in the United States and Europe reported receipt of the email, but Amazon did not reveal the scope of the affected accounts.

Since the breach was referred to as a "technical error," it is unlikely to be related to recent reports of Amazon firing employees for sharing customer emails with third-party sellers, The Verge reported on Wednesday.

In a forum following the breach and its repair, some customers noted their surprise that the link to Amazon's website in the email began with "http" instead of the more secure "https."

Other than the brief email to customers, Amazon has offered no comment or other information on the incident.